ESFPA E-News

Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program

A new program from the Biden-Harris administration offers $220 million in loan guarantees for wood processors. This program was launched to support the processing and utilization of wood products from National Forest System lands to improve forest health and reduce the risk posed by wildfires, insects, and disease and the detrimental impacts they have on communities and critical infrastructure.

The USDA encourages applicants to use the TPEP Dashboard to find areas the Forest Service has identified as "high" or "very high" priority areas to address the risk of wildfires and insect infestations or disease, which have caused or have the potential to cause significant damage. Zoom in on this map to find locations in the Northeast identified as "high priority" and "very high priority."

USDA encourages applicants to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities:

• Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities;
• Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to USDA Rural Development programs and benefits from Rural Development-funded projects; and
• Assisting rural communities to recover economically through more and better market opportunities and improved infrastructure.

Learn more about the program here: Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program. 

Red Pine Scale

Red pine scale is a scale insect native to Japan that feeds on red pine trees. It has recently been identified in upstate New York and may be more widespread than previously thought.

"It’s likely red pine scale is much more pervasive across NY’s landscape than previously documented. As New York’s winters continue to get warmer, red pine scale could continue to expand its range northward and cause red pine mortality in natural stands. DEC’s Bureau of Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health plans to do extensive surveys in 2025 to determine the location and abundance of this invasive pest."

Click the link below to learn more:

Forest Greenhouse Gas Emissions & Removals

The USDA Forest Service has released a comprehensive overview of the status and trends of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals in the US land sector.

The report notes that "forest land, harvested wood products, woodlands, and urban trees...continue to represent the largest net carbon sink in the United States, removing the equivalent of more than 14 percent of total GHG emissions in 2022." It provides data on carbon stocks, land use conversions, fire emissions, and more.

Clink the link below to read more:

Federal Grant Fuels Study to Enhance Wildlife Safety on NY Roads

The state Department of Transportation has received a federal grant for a two-part study to look at ways to reduce wildlife-vehicle accidents and improve habitat connectivity.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced the $323,850 grant as one of 16 projects in 16 states. Overall, the FHWA doled out $125 million in funding. 

“Too many Americans are injured or killed each year in crashes involving cars and wildlife, especially in rural areas—which is why our department created the first-ever program dedicated to crossings that make roads and highways safer for both humans and wildlife,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

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New York Farm Show

New York Farm Show 2025 will be hosted this year on February 20-22 in Syracuse. It will feature sessions on several topics including "invasive species in your woodlot," "carbon programs for forest and woodland owners," "effects of climate change on northeast forests," and more. 

The annual forestry seminars and talks will take place in the Martha Eddy Room at the Arts and Home Center on the grounds of the New York State Fairgrounds. The seminars are sponsored by the New York Forest Owners Association and American Agriculturist.